Patents Examined by Robert Davis
  • Patent number: 7261529
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for producing microparticles comprising pharmacologically active agents and biodegradable polymers. The apparatus includes a spinning disk containing a reservoir in the center thereof and a flat inclined surface. The apparatus optionally includes serrations and/or a flat surface beneath the periphery of the disk that is parallel to the rotational axis of the disk. The invention is also directed to a method for producing microparticles containing pharmacologically active agents, using the spinning disk apparatus. Formulations containing ophthalmically active agents are provided. Formulations exhibiting zero order release rates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Joseph T. Persyn, Joseph A. McDonough, Neal K. Vail, Darren E. Barlow, Albert M. Zwiener, Eliot M. Slovin
  • Patent number: 7261535
    Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding machine is disclosed. The nozzle includes a nozzle body, an inner nozzle, and an outer nozzle. The nozzle defines two independent flow paths therethrough. The nozzle can simultaneously discharge two materials. A method of using the nozzle and a resulting golf ball product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Puniello, Christopher Cavallaro, Christopher T. Grace, David J. Crandall, Douglas C. Hepler
  • Patent number: 7258540
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating an extruded plastic profile forming at least one longitudinal groove (5), comprises a calibrating body (1) receiving the profile (2). Body (2) comprises a form nose (6) with a cooling channel (9) engaging in the longitudinal groove (5) and extending in the direction of passage of the profile, and coolant bores (13, 14, 26) extending transversally to the form nose (6) and crossing its cooling channel (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Gruber & Co Group GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Gruber, Erwin Krumböck
  • Patent number: 7258541
    Abstract: An improved thermal expansion compensation manifold support is disclosed. The support includes a spring having a barrel and a skirt extending from the barrel, the skirt forming a recess. The spring has a first shoulder extending into the recess, and an end opposite the barrel. The support also includes a block having opposite ends, a finger portion formed at one end and a second shoulder formed at the opposite end. The finger has an end opposite the second shoulder, with the finger being dimensioned and configured to be inserted into the skirt's recess. The skirt and the block are dimensioned and configured such that when the finger is inserted into the recess, the skirt end abuts against the second shoulder and the finger end is separated from the first shoulder by a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Rui Novo
  • Patent number: 7255547
    Abstract: A device for granulating plastic melts comprises a granulating head (2) to which a perforated plate (3) provided with melt-discharge openings (10) is attached, which openings are swept by rotating knives (4). The perforated plate (3) is enclosed by a granulating housing (1) which is provided with at least one housing inlet (7) through which a cooling and transport medium (C), preferably water or air, can be supplied to the interior of the granulating housing (1), the cooling and transport medium (C) flowing with a motion component along the inner wall of the granulating housing (1) from the granulating head (2) toward a housing outlet (8) which is arranged in the end region of the granulating housing (1) opposite to the granulating head (2) and through which the cooling and transport medium (C) can be discharged along with the granules (G) produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Starlinger & Co Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Johann Brandstaetter, Andreas Pechhacker
  • Patent number: 7255554
    Abstract: A cooling air system is provided for a patty-forming apparatus having a machine base that includes an enclosing wall and contains equipment within the machine base that generates heat, such as electric motors, electrical and control equipment. The machine base includes an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening through the enclosing wall. At least one air fan is arranged to move outside air from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening. A first air damper is arranged to close the air inlet opening. A second air damper is arranged to close the air outlet opening. The first and second air dampers are configured to automatically close if power is interrupted to the apparatus. The dampers each includes a cover or plate and at least one inlet pneumatic cylinder that elevates the cover above the inlet or outlet opening when energized, allowing outside air to pass through the machine base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Lamartino, Glenn Sandberg
  • Patent number: 7252493
    Abstract: A temperature control system for use in a fiber extrusion process includes a number of metering pump assemblies including inlets to receive at least two molten polymer streams from a supply source that is connectable to the system. A pump block disposed proximate the metering pump assemblies includes a plurality of flow paths extending within the pump block, where the flow paths are aligned to receive molten polymer flowing from outlets of the metering pump assemblies and to deliver the molten polymer to a spinneret. The flow paths are arranged in flow path sets within the pump block, and each flow path set includes at least one flow path and is spaced a selected distance from the other flow path sets within the pump block so as to facilitate independent control of the temperature of a molten polymer flowing through each flow path set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hills, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Johnston, Jeff Haggard, Arnold Wilkie, Ruey Chern, Mark Miller, Tony Owen, John Quinlivan, Ted Mire, Brent Soucier, Kevin Moschetti
  • Patent number: 7252495
    Abstract: A press-molding mold includes a first mold part (10), a second mold part (20), a bushing (40), a first latching pin (50) and a second latching pin (70). The second mold part (20) defines a longitudinal central axis (21) and includes a first positioning portion (211) having an annular groove (212) defined in an outer surface thereof and a plurality of first longitudinal holes (213) defined therein. The bushing (40) includes a second positioning portion (430) defining a second longitudinal through hole (432) configured for alignment with one of the first longitudinal holes (213) and a transverse through hole (434) spatially corresponding to the annular groove (212). The first latching pin (50) latchingly extends through the transverse through hole (434) and insertion into the annular groove (212). The second latching pin (70) latchingly extends through the second longitudinal hole (432) and insertion in one of the first longitudinal hole (213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 7252499
    Abstract: Molding apparatus for rapid transfer of molten resin or pitch in an infiltration molding process. The apparatus includes e.g. an extruder (4) for melting and conveying a resin or pitch and a mold (10) arranged so that resin or pitch is conveyed to a mold insert cavity (19) within the mold. The mold insert contains an internal protrusion such as a locating ring (25) for positioning a porous body (1, 18) within the mold insert cavity in a position that brings about unidirectional flow of the molten resin or pitch through the porous body. Also, rapid resin or pitch infiltration molding process that includes injecting a high melting point, high viscosity, molten resin or pitch into the mold to effect a unidirectional impregnation of a heated preform via a pressure gradient in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. LaForest, Christopher S. Wahlers, Barry P. Soos
  • Patent number: 7247012
    Abstract: A polymer extrusion crosshead assembly for forming a spirally-striped extrusion. The assembly includes conventional components for admitting, turning, and accelerating primary molten polymer toward a novel rotating die sub-assembly. A body element includes an axial counterbore for receiving a manifold supply block in communication with a source of secondary striping polymer. A wear plate is attached to the manifold block. The die sub-assembly includes a striping die having an annular passage for conveying the primary polymer to form an extruded tube or a core material coating. The die is loaded against the wear plate by a Belleville washer. The die includes one or more striping nozzles in communication with the manifold block for injecting secondary striping polymer into the annular stream of primary polymer flowing through the die, creating a longitudinal stripe of striping polymer. Rotating the die while extruding both polymers yields a helically striped (spiral) extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cangen Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem Anand, John C. Giardina
  • Patent number: 7241127
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pelleting press for the production of feed pellets for the like. The aim of the invention is to enable easy and economical separation of the mold in order to change said molds. This is achieved in that guided clamping elements (17) are arranged between the mold (8) and a pressure ring (13) of the mold carrier (11) in such a way that they can be displaced axially (11) so that the mold (8) can be released and clamped by axial displacement by means of a flat contact surface between the screws (18) of the clamping segments (17) and the pressure ring (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bühler AG
    Inventors: Philipp Hanimann, Adolph Zellweger, Andreas Staub
  • Patent number: 7241132
    Abstract: A screw tip is provided in front of a screw with a shaft interposed therebetween, and a check ring is fitted around the shaft. The check ring is separated from a front end portion of the screw when the screw is rotated in a forward direction. The check ring contacts the front end portion of the screw when the screw is advanced. A front end surface of the check ring is provided with teeth, and a rear end surface of the screw tip is provided with grooves with which the respective teeth are engaged. Respective one side surfaces of the grooves and the teeth which are pressed against each other when the screw is rotated in the forward direction are formed vertical to the front end surface of the check ring, and side surfaces thereof located on the reverse sides of the above respective one side surfaces are inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Matsubayashi, Keisuke Mori, Shigehiro Saitou
  • Patent number: 7241128
    Abstract: In a roller adjustment apparatus for an extrusion mill, comprising a cylindrical die (2) with radially extending extrusion channels and a number of rollers (1) within the die, rotatable about their axes and co-operating with the die to press material to be treated through the extrusion channels in the die wall, the adjustment apparatus comprises eccentrically journalled bearing shafts (3) for mounting the rollers (1), said eccentrically journalling of the shafts (3) providing a radial adjustment of the position of the rollers (1) relative to the die (2), the rotation of the eccentrically journalled shafts (3) is provided by means of extension arms (6) fixedly mounted on the ends of the eccentrically journalled shafts (3), and said extension arms (6) being connected to an axially movable connection element (8) by means of articulated connected linkage rods (7), and said connection element (8) being connected to a rod (9) provided with its axis in the axis of the die (2) and extending to a position outside the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sprout-Matador A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Blok
  • Patent number: 7241123
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing and winding synthetic multifilament yarns, which has a spin unit 1 for melt spinning the yarns, at least one treatment unit 7 for treating the yarns, and a takeup unit 16 with a plurality of winding positions for winding the yarns. The winding positions 17.1-17.3 are distributed along a horizontal axis of the takeup unit 16, with a driven guide roll 12 and a yarn guide 15.1-15.3 for each winding position being arranged upstream thereof for advancing the yarn. To prevent different yarn deflections despite a different spacing between yarns while treating and while winding the yarns, the invention provides for orienting the guide roll 12 with its roll axis in the vertical direction to guide the yarns, and for arranging it laterally adjacent the yarn guides 15.1-15.3 such that the yarns can be advanced substantially in parallel relationship between the guide roll 12 and the yarn guides 15.1-15.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Kirchhoff, Bernd Aretz
  • Patent number: 7238018
    Abstract: A coil surrounding only the tip of nozzles of a plastic extruding die is provided. By passing a high frequency current through the coil to selectively heat only the tip of the nozzles. Further, in a plastic extruding die in which a high frequency current is passed through a coil provided around nozzles to heat the periphery of the nozzles, the coil is formed of a conductor tube through which a coolant is caused to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Oshita, Kenji Toda
  • Patent number: 7238017
    Abstract: This is a domestic rolling machine for homemade pasta with the surface of the rolling rollers formed by anodizing metal to provide a micro-rough surface that considerably increases adherence thus reducing the number of passes for the sheet of pasta to reduce the thickness of the sheet of pasta from the initial to the final thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Marcato S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Marcato
  • Patent number: 7232303
    Abstract: A locking system (12) for a mold (14) includes a first mold half (20), a second mold half (22), and a lock assembly that is coupled to one of the mold halves (20, 22). The lock assembly includes a wear plate (80), that is disposed between the first mold half (20) and the second mold half (22), and an adjustment element (86), which is disposed between the wear plate (80) and one of the mold halves (20,22). The lock assembly also includes a wear plate locking fastener (84), that locks the position of the wear plate (80), and an adjustment fastener (88), which is separate therefrom and adjusts the position of the wear plate (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dooley, Matthey S. Brummer
  • Patent number: 7229271
    Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
  • Patent number: 7226553
    Abstract: Underwater melt pelletizer dies which have a highly thermally conductive pathway from their heating source to the vicinity of the polymer exit end of their die holes and have a thermally insulating material at that end of their die holes have improved operability and can pelletize thermoplastics which are otherwise difficult or impossible to pelletize with such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard Alan Jackson, Dennis Jack Royer, Marion Glen Waggoner
  • Patent number: RE39769
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for producing thermoplastic containers, in particular bottles, by the blow-molding or stretch blow-molding of a preheated preform. The device comprises at least one mould consisting of two half-molds (2) each supported by a mould carrier, the two mould carriers being movable relative to each other. Each half-mould (2) comprises a shell holder (9), supported by the respective mould carrier, and a shell (7) which is equipped with a half-impression (8) of the container to be obtained and can be rendered integral in a detachable manner with its shell holder (9) by rapid-fastening means (19-23). The shell (7) and the shell holder (9) are of complementary shapes such that they contact each other at least partially for heat conduction purposes whilst the pipes and connections for circulating and/or heating fluids are provided in the shell holder alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: Dominique Briere, Léon Coisy, Paul La Barre, Pascal Santais